I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

68 – 68. and look at it.

Several days had passed. The students searched everywhere to find suitable and talented teammates. However… there was an exception.

Vanessa Delpier did not try to form a team. People were disappointed that she, the most talented among all the freshmen, did not form a team, but at the same time, they thought, “I expected that.”

And as a result, Geselle became the most valuable.

A wizard who reached the level of an expert. Moreover, she got along well with others unlike Vanessa Delpier.

Naturally, there were countless people who wanted to be on Geselle’s team. If they became her teammates, the probability of receiving high evaluations would be endlessly high.

But… Geselle had complicated feelings about it.

“Why doesn’t she form a team?”

It’s impossible for someone like Vanessa Delpier not to form a team. So, there must be a reason why she intentionally doesn’t try to form a team.

Other first-year students might think it’s just Vanessa’s usual cold behavior, but it was different for Geselle.

“…Is it because she wants to prevent the division of scores with other teammates?”

No matter how hard you collect scores, in the end, those scores will be divided among other teammates. In other words… Vanessa might not be forming a team intentionally to prevent the division of scores.

“It’s quite possible. It means she has confidence in her own abilities.”

Even if five other first-year students gathered, there was a possibility that they wouldn’t match up to one Vanessa. Geselle sighed.

On the other hand, she had to find teammates no matter what. It wasn’t just because of this evaluation. She had managed to get close to skilled peers all this time, and if she didn’t form a team, those relationships would drift apart.

“In the end, forming a team is essential to maintain those relationships….”

Geselle sighed. But she had no choice. From the beginning, Vanessa was an inspector, and she was a wizard. Vanessa could rampage alone, but Geselle would need teammates to protect her so she could exhibit her full strength.

“…I guess I’ll have to see Vanessa Delpier for myself and make a judgment.”

But where could Vanessa Delpier be? Geselle tilted her head.

She decided to search for Vanessa herself. She had heard that if you know your enemy and yourself, you will not be defeated. At least, if she saw Vanessa’s face directly, she might be able to understand something.

As Geselle looked around, she spotted Vanessa’s back. Vanessa’s appearance stood out even by simply walking.

She followed Vanessa. Vanessa walked around without anyone noticing.

‘…What is she doing?’

Why is she walking alone like that? Geselle felt curious and continued to follow Vanessa.

“Hiding. Silence.”

She cast a magic on herself to make her presence less noticeable. It was to prevent Vanessa from realizing that she was following her.

Of course, if Vanessa concentrated, she might be able to find her, but for some reason, Vanessa’s appearance felt like her attention was elsewhere.

‘What is it? What could it be?’

What made Vanessa lose focus like that? Geselle silently thought as she followed Vanessa’s back.

Vanessa’s footsteps led her to a place with less presence. Geselle continued to follow her.

‘…Wasn’t this area restricted for students?’

Jezel made a hmm, sound. Surely, it wouldn’t be anything significant, but still, it left an uneasy feeling.

And then, Vanessa’s footsteps came to a sudden halt.

“…a lake?”

What lay before her eyes was indeed a lake, bathed in the glow of the evening sunset, presenting an exceptionally beautiful sight.

I’ve never heard of such a place.

Jezel tilted his head. Why would Vanessa come here?

And… someone’s presence was felt, approaching.

Jezel concealed himself. And the face of that ‘someone’ became visible.

Blond hair. Green eyes. Features that seemed to be carved from smooth marble.

It was a face he had already seen for several weeks.

“Why is that person here?”

Eden Kainus was visible. He effortlessly sat down next to Vanessa.

And then, they began conversing naturally.

In the sudden flood of information, Jezel’s brain couldn’t decide how to react.

Did those two already know each other? What connection could there be? According to what I know, Eden Kainus joined the academy not long after a sudden downfall.

Regardless, the conversation between Eden Kainus and Vanessa continued, and their expressions continued to be filled with laughter, almost resembling the intimacy of lovers.

Of course, it probably wasn’t that. Listening to the content of their conversation, Eden teased Vanessa, and Vanessa told him not to treat her like a child.

However… setting that aside, their expressions were something Jezel had never seen before.

Vanessa, of course, was already famous. Her attitude of never showing a smile even once and treating others coldly.

Yet here she was, smiling brightly and engaging in conversation with Eden.

And… what bothered Jezel more was Eden’s appearance.

…because he was wearing a smile he had never shown to Jezel even once.

Why, he wondered. They had spent time together for several weeks, yet Eden never showed him a smile even once.

He could understand that Eden didn’t particularly like him. It started with a mistake from their first meeting, and he had caused a lot of trouble.

He knew that, but this was… too much.

Jezel bit his lip. The thought of investigating Vanessa further didn’t even occur to him. He just felt like he was endlessly falling to the ground and rose from his hiding place.

She turned her back on Eden and Vanessa, who were conversing, as if escaping, and it felt incredibly unpleasant.

…

After that, Jezel diligently prepared for the midterm evaluation as if possessed.

He tried to make the contents of his backpack as efficient as possible, chose the best team, and imposed his own methods on his teammates. In a way, it bordered on madness.

She surpasses Vanessa and takes the first place overall. It seemed like nothing else could heal her wounded heart.

Yet, Gisele suddenly questioned herself. Why did it hurt so much? Just because she was disliked by only one professor?

He was someone she didn’t need to be closer to. She became an expert with his help, and he helped her. That’s it. No need to add or subtract anything from their relationship.

She knew he was talented and his value had increased significantly since they first met. But getting closer to him was accompanied by danger.

It was clear, there was no need to get closer anymore, just maintain this distance. Relationship with Vanessa and such, she didn’t need to know, her reason told her.

But for some reason, her emotions couldn’t accept that. She didn’t know why. She only had the thought of wanting to win.

It’s okay. After all, she wanted to win against Vanessa in the competition. So, it must be a good thing.

She tried hard to think that way. But even with that thought, her mood didn’t improve.

And another thought crept into her mind.

…Does Vanessa like Professor Eden?

Vanessa was known for never smiling in front of others. But she smiled brightly in front of Professor Eden more than anyone else.

As if she knew how to smile, like that… Vanessa’s smile felt incredibly radiant.

If Vanessa liked him, her behavior made sense. Even though it seemed like he didn’t have any rational feelings towards her.

…Oddly enough, just thinking about that made her feel slightly better.

Gisele forcefully shook her head to clear her mind. The midterm evaluation was about to start.

She had no room for distractions. Her job was not to focus on Vanessa’s love life, but to win against her.

Gisele looked at her teammates.

“Listen carefully. My goal is to be in first place. So… I hope you all approach this with the mindset that nothing matters unless it’s first place.”

Her teammates nodded. Vanessa looked around.

Professor Devere Gideon was speaking in front of the students.

“This midterm evaluation is the first evaluation you will experience. Naturally, the better you do in this evaluation, the better your future will be.”

After saying that, the professor chuckled and continued.

“Please make a desperate effort to achieve satisfactory grades. Now then… let’s begin the midterm evaluation.”

Midterm evaluation, start.